Collapsible crate.



F. A. FOCKS.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6.1914.

1,156,221. Patented 001.12, 1915.

2 SHEET S-SHEET l.

F. A. FOCKS.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE s.1914.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 gwuemtom F 00126 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FRED A. FOCKS, OF CRANE, MISSOURI.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Application filed June 6, 1914.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRED A. Focus, a citizen of the United States, residing at Crane, in the county of Stone and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to collapsible crates and the principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient shipping crate which may be folded into compact form for return shipment or storage and which may be rapidly set up into operative position without the aid of tools.

Another object of the invention is the provision of simple and eflicient guiding means which cheapen the construction and which effectively reinforce the crate.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the parts in partially folded form. Fig. 4 is a top plan view. Fig. .5 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 represents a bottom member which may be constructed of any suitable material of separate slats or a solid piece and which has secured to the sides thereof the reinforcing strips 2 to which are hinged the side members 3.

At the upper ends of each side member there is secured a clip 4 in which is mounted an eye member 5 engaged with the combined reinforcing and guiding loops 6 carried by the member 7. This top member is constructed of end pieces 8' and side members 9 and a covering either of slats or a solid piece as may be found most desirable. The end members 8 are provided with apertures 10 adjacent their center through which pass the combined guiding and reinforcing members 6. These members each consist as shown of a single strand of wire passed through the aperture 10 and are bent back upon themselves having their terminals connected by twisting or otherwise, at the side edge of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915} Serial No. 843,471.

top member. shown as having its top member covered with slats 11 which serve as a means for holding the reinforcing and guiding members against displacement. The same result would be obtained if a solid covering were employed.

Hingedly connected to the bottom member 1 are the end members 12 adapted to fold upon the bottom when in inoperative position and to lie between the side members when in operative position, being held against disheld upon the top of the side members with all parts in collapsed position by engaging the hook hasps on opposite ends of the top member with eyes 16 on the ends of the bottom member.

-What is claimed is In a folding shipping crate, a bottom member, a top member, guiding members comprising looped strands of wire extended centrally through the top member and havinc their terminals connected at the sides of the top member, end members hinged to the bottom member and adapted to fold thereon, side members hinged to. the bottom member and having slidable connection with one strand of each of the combined guiding and reinforcing members, said side members adapted to fold upon the end members and the top to fold upon the side members, and means for connecting the top to the end members when the crate is in a set up position or to the bottom member when the crate is collapsed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRED A. .FOOKS.

WVitnesses:

JAMEs F. LONG, JAMES M. FORISTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

In this instance the crate is 

